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March Violets

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March Violets

Written by: Philip Kerr
Narrated by: John Lee
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Hailed by Salman Rushdie as a “brilliantly innovative thriller-writer,” Philip Kerr is the creator of taut, gripping, noir-tinged mysteries set in Nazi-era Berlin that are nothing short of spellbinding. The first book of the Berlin Noir trilogy, MARCH VIOLETS introduces listeners to Bernie Gunther, an ex-policeman who thought he’d seen everything on the streets of 1930s Berlin–until he turned freelance and each case he tackled sucked him further into the grisly excesses of Nazi subculture. Hard-hitting, fast-paced, and richly detailed, MARCH VIOLETS is noir listening at its best and blackest.

“Echoes of Raymond Chandler but better on his vivid and well-researched detail than the master”–Evening Standard
 Crime Fiction Espionage Historical Mystery Noir Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense

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What the critics say

Praise for Philip Kerr and the Bernie Gunther Novels

“A brilliantly innovative thriller writer.”—Salman Rushdie

“Philip Kerr is the only bona fide heir to Raymond Chandler.”—Salon.com

“In terms of narrative, plot, pace and characterization, Kerr’s in a league with John le Carré.”—The Washington Post

“Every time we’re afraid we’ve seen the last of Bernie Gunther, Philip Kerr comes through with another unnerving adventure for his morally conflicted hero.”—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review

“Just as youth is wasted on the young, history is wasted on historians. It ought to be the exclusive property of novelists—but only if they are as clever and knowledgeable as Philip Kerr.”—Chicago Tribune

“Kerr quantum leaps the limitations of genre fiction. Most thrillers insult your intelligence; his assault your ignorance.”—Esquire

“A richly satisfying mystery, one that evokes the noir sensibilities of Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald while breaking important new ground of its own.”—Los Angeles Times

“Part of the allure of these novels is that Bernie is such an interesting creation, a Chandleresque knight errant caught in insane historical surroundings. Bernie walks down streets so mean that nobody can stay alive and remain truly clean.”—John Powers, Fresh Air (NPR)

“The Bernie Gunther novels are first-class, as stylish as Chandler and as emotionally resonant as the best of Ross Macdonald.”—George Pelecanos

“Kerr’s stylish noir writing makes every page a joy to read.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
All stars
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Dark humour and irony are the only language capable of confronting the unspeakable. They mask, without diminishing, the anguish of history’s darkest chapter. Philip Kerr captures that tension brilliantly.

Great historical fiction

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New still to audiobooks and not much of a bookworm to begin with but the story was very interesting and not so much detail to give "Every blade of grass a back-story" but just enough to get the idea.
Heard about the series from Smartless podcast and will listen to more.

Great listen!

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After listening to a conversation that Will Arnett and Tom Hanks were having about Phillip Kerr’s novels I was excited to give him a try. I found the humour to be great and apart from that the book was more of a sleezy piece of erotica with violence and a descriptive rape scene that was disturbing and unnecessary. Not a novel that I will recommend

No Your Recommenders

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the premise is interesting but it reads like it was written in the 50s. the main character isn't relatable, all women are just objects and the most detail was in the sex and rape scenes. I won't be listening to the next one. the narrator was great but he could only do so much

Graphic rape and mediocre story

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I've had his books recommended on more than one occasion. I only hope that this, as the first in the Berlin series, is a still early feeling his way effort . I'll try slayer effort before giving up on him.

Mediocre

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